HSUS Activist Strategy

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has become a stockholder of snack-food company Lance, Inc. Lance has been under scrutiny after undercover investigations revealed its egg-suppliers’ hens living in battery cages in poor conditions, among which included living hens alongside deceased hens. HSUS hopes that by becoming a stakeholder, they can encourage the company to switch to cage-free methods. Lance is the maker of a variety of snacks, including crackers, cookies, popcorn, and snack cakes. Recently, other large food companies have pledged to switch to cage-free eggs, such as Pepperidge Farm, Sara Lee, and Hellmann’s.